Franklin

Arnav brought home a stuffed fox and the instructions were he would have to chronicle all activities done with Fraklin the fox. Here is the end product:

We were wondering if Franklin ever took a bath and where all he has been with all these kids :-) Whatever happened to the school's sense of hygiene?

Star of the Weak

Recently Manav was star of the week in school - last week 2/9. And what better way to start re-blogging than this. Perfect trigger right?
 
"Sorry mommy"
"What happened?"
"You'll be very sad"
 
and thus began that back home from school Friday conversation with Manav. So a bit of background before I let you in  the rest of the conversation. During star of the week at school you have a poster on the hallway which details interesting things about the student. For Arnav we knew which week it was going to be and also the teacher sent home a template which required a single picture and Arnav wrote the rest of it himself and they colored together. Easy.

( note how didn't even have a proper picture)

 
For Manav (2nd grade) there is an elaborate process. Star Student of the week is chosen on a Friday based on the entire week's behavior. And there is no template. AND its just not the poster there is a week long list of activities - poster + poem/letter + eating lunch with the star student.....and since I was forced to do all this ( with Caunteya traveling) I took it upon myself to relay to the world.....so here it is....want to mention, though I wasn't the wee bit happy with these activities thrust upon me I thoroughly enjoyed and Manav enjoyed even more....how do I know? well trust a mother when she says anything about her child. Its usually true.

"Oh did you get your folder signed?" Bad behavior entails folder signing.

"No Mommy. All these weeks I have been trying (to be bad) and succeeded in Ms. Clemmer not picking me up as star, since I know how busy you are and just cannot do all the activities for star of the week. But this time I just couldn't. I am the star of the week"

"What????" I was still reeling with the realization that he gathered I wouldn't be happy with the idea and that alone made me feel so guilty.

"Yes, mommy. I am so sorry"

"Oh Manav. That's fine. We will do it together. It will be fun am sure" I have never been so unsure. And again I could feel he knew it. Guilt squared.

We made the poster. Created 4 themed collages and they decorated the white spaces.

 

 

 

And I wrote the poem....

Dear Manav.  

Where do I begin, what do I say?

Into our lives you’ve charmed your way;

21^st of April, Two thousand and seven

You came in my arms, a piece of heaven;

Didn’t seem so happy, you were screaming

But it’s so usual that we were beaming; 

Then I blinked my eye and you grew so fast

I kept begging that “this moment” would last;

Rolling, sitting, solids, first word and crawling

Walking, talking, laughing and bawling;

Now old enough to do geometry

And spell tough words like symmetry;

Here are some secrets I would like to share

These make you the Manav you are;

You like conversations at dinner table more than eating

You like winning sports and games more than playing;

You cry like a baby when Arnav bugs you

You laugh like a hyena when Arnav hugs you;

Keep being the Manav you are

Reach your goals and raise the bar;

Continue having fun on the way

Sharing and caring whether night or day;

Dance and prance like you always do

Sing and bring joy to all around you; 

I love the way you wiggle when I hug you

I love when you gross out when I kiss you;

I love that look on your face when I yell at you

I love that look on your face when I compliment you;

I love your sneaking in our bed at daylight
I love you and will always do with all my might.

Love Mommy.

It was sent in a sealed envelope and read by the teacher to Manav in his classroom. I imagined he would be so very touched and maybe even break into tears...nothing of that sort happened....he "liked" it and "corrected" me that he doesn't cry like a baby.  

And I made alu paratha for his lunch at school. Very rare in case you are wondering why do I even think this is worth mentioning.

So overall a very fruitful endeavor. Would surely mind doing it again, but was fun while it lasted. The glow on his face and the running into my arms seeing me in school was all it took to wipe off the frustrations of having to handle so many extra activities on my own. Yep, you are the star of the weak....you make me strong.